Unit 7 Reflection

In Unit 7, we studied the anatomy and physiology of the bones in the human body. We first studied about diseases that affect the skeletal system such as arthritis, the inflammation of joints, which has affected my family in the past. Osteoporosis is when the bones lose calcium and become more porous and easier to break down, while scoliosis is when the spine is not aligned straight. A pattern I noticed from these diseases is that they affect bones through either inflammation, breaking them down due to poor nutrition, or are misaligned. In order to prevent such diseases from occurring, it is critical to have a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins C and D helps the bone become stronger while protecting it’s marrow. Minerals such as calcium helps produces calcitonin, a hormone that develops and matures the bone in order for it to not break in the future. Bones are extremely important when it comes to maintaining homeostasis, as they regulate blood flow through the Haversian system along with regulating metabolism and temperature. Cells play a huge role when it comes to the development of bones too. Osteoblasts are cells that create new and stronger bones, while osteoclasts are cells that destroy bone and pave way for new and stronger ones to be created. Sadly, accidents are bound to happen to our bodies wherever we are, bones included. There are many types of fractures, the most common being complete, where the bone snaps into two or more parts, or incomplete, where the bone doesn't break all the way through. Bones are usually repaired first by blood clotting where the fracture is located. As the blood dries, fibroblasts are formed, and solidify the clot to form new bone to replace the fracture. Lastly, we learned about joints in the human body and how they’re connected to our bones (quite literally). Synovial joints are completely moveable, and include our elbows and shoulders. Ampiarthrosis joints are slightly moveable, and include joints such as our vertebrae. Lastly are diarthrosis joints, which are not moveable and include joints such as sutures in our skulls. Most of these joints are usually fibrous, while we do have some that are cartilage such as our knee. In this study, I was hoping to learn about more hormones that are involved with our bones’ development and maturity. As a student, I feel that my study of the bones had blossomed when we studied the owl pellet lab, and compared bones from organisms that are quite similar to humans. I also feel that bone bingo had helped me better classify and identify bones in the body. As of my New Year’s goals, they have taken quite a hit. While my lifting goals have been on track, I have gained about twenty-five pounds of muscle, and moved from 190 to 215 pounds. My grade in Anatomy however has taken a deep hit due to the reflex lab being graded as a zero, even though I turned it in a day late. As of now, the best I can do is continue on and power throughout the school year and not be rescinded from my colleges, and graduate knowing I will attend a university soon.